Newark Post

Visited Chateau-Thierry and
was Under Shell Fire
at the Meuse

Claude C. Spiker, Assistant Professor of Modern Language in Delaware College returned today from France where he has been engaged in Y.M.C.A. work. Professor Spiker left Delaware in May 1918 and landed at Le Havre, France. He was immediately sent to the front with the 77th Division in Lorraine. He was a Hut Secretary on this sector for two months. He was in charge of a hut about four miles back from the front line trenches. He went over the Chateau-Thierry battle field about six or eight days after the struggle. The dead had just been buried. With a regiment of Light Artillery he went to the Vesle River, as the American troops were pushing the Germans back to the Meuse. In this drive Professor Spiker was frequently under shell fire. He remained with the troops until the Germans were driven beyond the Aisne River, at which time the Division was withdrawn to another front.

Then he was transferred to the French army for educational work where he was placed in charge of the English instruction in the French artillery school, meeting the most capable and best trained soldiers in France. A nephew of General Joffre was in Professor Spiker's class. He was with the French army in this capacity for about five months. He was then stationed at Lyons for similar work. Owing to an attack of the influenza it became necessary for Professor Spiker to be furloughed home. He is on his way now to join Mrs. Spiker whose home is near the University of West Virginia.

This morning in chapel Professor Spiker gave a brief and interesting account of his experience in the war and was enthusiastically greeted by the student body.